Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2015

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee and low back disabilities are not related to his active service, with no aggravation of a pre-existing condition during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for DISH and degenerative arthritis, as well as the grant of TDIU, were granted effective April 6, 1996.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various ankle, foot, knee, and wrist disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for testicular cancer, special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance, and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for MRSA infection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records, updated treatment records, and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the passage of time and his assertions of worsening, requiring additional development including VA examinations for both service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to military noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted. The issue of secondary service connection for osteoarthritis of the neck, back, fingers, knees, and ankles due to rheumatoid arthritis remains unresolved.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU were granted, but the specific ratings assigned are not provided in this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and increased ratings for her left and right knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus to service or aggravation of pre-existing conditions. The Veteran's complaints were found to be within normal limits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of his claims.

The Veteran seeks service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, which he claims is secondary to his sarcoidosis. The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU rating due to his service-connected disabilities, considering his education and occupational background.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his service-connected right lower extremity disabilities and prosthetic/orthopedic appliances.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, cervical osteoarthritis, residuals of a right ankle injury, scar of the right thigh, and erectile dysfunction, result in a combined rating of 90 percent. The Veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities as he has more than one disability rated at least 40 percent disabling.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is not productive of forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine of 30 degrees or less, and he does not have a current disability of the left elbow, left hand, or hips. Therefore, his initial rating for this condition remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and left knee with osteoarthritis/degenerative changes, previously evaluated as fracture, closed, junction, middle lower third of left tibia and fibula were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for loss or atrophy of the left testicle is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current condition was incurred during his period of active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, including degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, was manifested to a compensable degree within one year of his separation from service. Therefore, presumptive service connection is granted.

The Veteran's initial ratings for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.